www.WDIO.com

Solon Springs Town Constable Accused of Sexual Assault

A town constable is on administrative leave as Superior police investigate allegations of sexual assault.

A constable is the sworn law enforcement officer in small towns, such as Solon Springs.

According to police, a 27-year-old woman says Solon Springs Town Constable Gerald E. Olson, 47, picked her up while she was walking along Highway 53. They said it happened the night of June 15, around 10:30, and that Olson was in a police vehicle.

Superior Police Chief Charles LaGesse said her report of the alleged assault was filed the next day.

"She stated that the constable offered her a ride to the Holiday station in Superior so she could call some relatives to get a ride to where her destination was in Northern Minnesota. But instead he drove her to his house, asked her if she wanted to come inside, provided her with alcohol and proceeded to make sexual advances on her and touch her in a sexual fashion," LaGesse said.

The woman tells police she was later dropped off at the St. Croix Inn in Solon Springs around 2 a.m.

According to police, the Constable works part-time for the Town and Village of Solon Springs. They said he had also worked part-time with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

A village board member told Eyewitness News that he did not recall any complaints filed against Olson in the last five years.

The village president said the Douglas County Sheriff's office will provide law enforcement for the time being.

Eyewitness News called Olson but he declined our request for comment.

Superior Police said their investigation should be referred to the Douglas County attorney sometime next week.